Posts Tagged With: shopping

Every year, more than 20,000 people pass through the Raystown Lake Region Visitors Center inside Raystown Lake’s Seven Points Recreation Area near Hesston, Pennsylvania. The Visitors Center is home to the US Army Corps of Engineers Raystown Lake Project Ranger Staff as well as the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau. The two organizations work closely together in the building’s operation and programming.

New seating area in the lobby of the Raystown Lake Region Visitors Center courtesy of Park Furniture of Huntingdon (Photo by Vickie Smith)

This cooperation was evidenced this morning as Park Furniture of Huntingdon delivered some beautiful lodge furniture as a donation for a new seating area in the main lobby. Park Furniture is a member of HCVB, and has been very generous in providing the furniture, which they intend to rotate as styles change.

In addition to having a great and comfortable place to relax in air conditioning on a hot afternoon, the Visitors Center features exhibits, displays, and public restrooms, as well as one of the best overlooks of Raystown Lake, all free of charge.

The staff of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau is always willing to answer questions, give directions and recommendations for things to do, places to eat, places to stay, places to shop, and more at the information counter.

The Visitors Bureau also operates the Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe, where you can grab a quick snack, Raystown Lake souvenirs, local artwork and crafts, books about local history, other works by local authors, and more.

The Visitors Center is also a trail head for the Hillside Nature Trail and as of May 2012 for the Allegrippis Trails, and soon to be for a loop trail connecting all of the campsites within the Seven Points Campground to the Visitors Center, picnic areas, Seven Points Beach, and Seven Points Marina.

From now through August 14th, every Tuesday morning HCVB hosts a Wake-Up Reception that includes displays and door prizes from area attractions, restaurants, and shops, continental breakfast, and a featured guest. Tuesdays Mid-June through Mid-August 9:30-10:30 AM.

Okay, you’ve only got four days to plan something for dad! What do you do?

We have some ideas for you that dad is sure to appreciate, all of which you still have time to pull-off!

Weekend getaway in the Raystown Lake Region: If dad loves the water, why not rent a houseboat from Seven Points Marina or Lake Raystown Resort Lodge and Conference Center? It is impossible to find accommodations any closer to Raystown Lake than a houseboat! These are perfect for the dad who loves to fish, swim, kayak, grill, and/or drive a boat. Plus mom and the family get the comforts of home with fully equipped kitchens, and bathrooms, not to mention comfy beds! Other types of accommodations are also available this weekend from camping to bed and breakfasts, cabins and vacation homes. Visit Raystown.org/places-to-stay to hone in on exactly the type of lodging you are looking for!

The Bird’s Eye View: Take dad on a road trip he’ll never forget. Stop at Jo Hays Vista on Route 26 for a bird’s eye view of Happy Valley, then let him interact with raptors at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. After that, head south to Ridenour Overlook and Hawn’s Overlook for great views of Raystown Lake. Get back on Route 26 south then turn right onto 164 west to check out the views from atop Tussey Mountain on your way to a surprise helicopter tour of Raystown Lake or the Horseshoe Curve with Pine Bottom Aviation! Check out this Google Map for directions and suggested places for eating along the way!

Buck the System: Admit it, there’s something mesmerizing to almost all dads about cowboys riding bucking broncos and bulls! If this describes your dad, then you need to get him tickets to the Central Pennsylvania Rodeo this weekend! Add in some great vittles, and dad can settle into the grandstand at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, and have a mighty fine time! Yee Haw!

You came to Raystown Lake to get wet, splash around in the lake, feel the spray on your face as your boat glides across the glassy water. But wait, that spray is not coming from the boat’s wake, it is dropping from the sky!

Yes, it does rain at Raystown Lake, just as it does everywhere there is a lake. But don’t despair. Seize the moment . . . and the shopping bag . . . and head to Huntingdon.

Let’s start our shopping with Sweet Annie’s Herbs, Huntingdon’s original herb apothecary. Sweet Annie’s is a small shop with a large selection of herbal and other natural supplements, many formulated by Annie Wishard herself, as well as fresh spices, dried flowers, bohemian skirts and blouses, and, well, let’s just say it’s a shop you don’t want to miss.

For a totally fun experience, check out Whisper Rocks Souvenirs and Gifts at Lincoln Caverns, the largest gift shop in the Raystown Lake Region A distinctive feature of Whisper Rocks is, well, its rocks. There is a vast array of very reasonably priced rocks, fossils, and gemstones for the rock enthusiast. And for the bat lover, Whisper Rocks has all the information you need.

Originally known as Grove’s Office Supplies, this is a store that knows how to add and subtract. The store has added a JC Penney Catalogue Center; a new line of American made handbags known as Cinda b to complement its large collection of Vera Bradley bags; and Kameleon jewelry, also made in the USA, to accompany the Chamilia charms and beads already in-house. Groves recently expanded its online presence with a new website that offers office supplies, scrapbooking needs, rubber stamping products, art supplies, and vintage antique and collectible items, in addition to tutorials for crafting. What did Groves Office Supplies subtract? The words “office supplies” is gone because the store has evolved into so much more.

Laney’s Feed Mill is another place you don’t want to pass up. You can buy Outback Chair Company hammocks and chairs, Carhart clothing, and Beaumont pottery. Grab a bag of Laney’s store-made specialty bird seed blends to go into one of their beautiful Audubon bird feeders. In 1998 the store changed hands and there have been a few modifications but one thing hasn’t changed—it is still a great place to shop.

Whether you are looking for cookbooks, cocktail napkins, or classy readers; Ginger Yaps or gift baskets; artsy clothing or aprons for the chef, you’ll be delighted at the variety in Reeves Gift Shop. And if shoes are your love, you’ll find everything from pictures of shoes to books about shoes to actual wearable shoes embellished with glitter and animal prints at this quaint little shop.

If none of the above floats your boat (ok, I just couldn’t resist that one), how about taking a journey along the heART of The Alleghenies Artisan Trail. Discover the Log Cabin Gallery Shop, a modest log structure filled with a variety of arts and crafts. Also on the trail is Vintage Art Glass with its remarkable inventory of beads, custom stained glass, and blown glass. Of particular note is the custom-made jewelry created by owner Leah Davis Dell. This is the place to go for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry from a one-of-a-kind artist. Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe located at the lake’s visitor center offers a mix of local crafts and gift items as well as the usual t-shirts and coffee mugs with Raystown Lake branding, providing the shopper with a taste of the area.

Need to furnish your vacation home in the Raystown Lake Region? Check out Park Furniture and Appliances offering appliances (and appliance repair), audio and video equipment, furniture, bedding, flooring and home security systems. Park also is a Weber Grill dealer. And Sears Hometown Store offers all brands of appliances, big screen televisions, home and garden tools, and the best customer service you’ll find anywhere.

For the outdoor enthusiast, visit Rothrock Outfitters and Saxton Outdoor Supply. Both are filled with everything you need for your outdoor adventure, rain or shine. Don’t forget to pick up your Allegrippis Trails map for some very excellent biking; as well as Purple Lizard Raystown Lake and Purple Lizard Rothrock State Forest maps.

With this many shopping opportunities in Huntingdon, you might just start praying for more rain at the lake!